Anyone who watches Bravo's new show "Million Dollar Listing" knows that the final sale of a home can hinge
on the results of a home inspection - even for a million dollar home. While a home inspection is a critical component
of buying and selling a home, knowing your home inspector is just as important.

Effective October 15, home inspectors who claim to follow the American Society of Home Inspectors' (ASHI) Standards
of Practice (SOP) will also be required to adhere to ASHI's Code of Ethics. The revised Standards of Practice (which
have become an industry standard and model for licensing in many states) was overwhelmingly approved by ASHI
Membership in an effort to elevate the profession and safeguard consumers from unethical home inspection practices.

"By understanding ASHI's Code of Ethics, consumers can arm themselves with information that could help prevent
them from hiring the wrong home inspector," said 2006 ASHI President Joe Corsetto. "Any inspector can claim
to follow ASHI's Standards of Practice, but by merging the SOP with ASHI's Code of Ethics, ASHI is raising the
standards of the profession to better ensure the likelihood that consumers receive a fair and objective examination of
their home."

ASHI's Code of Ethics Revealed

Among the topics contained in ASHI's Code of Ethics is the relationship between a home inspector and a real estate
agent, or other third parties that have a financial interest in the closing or settlement of a real estate
transaction.

ASHI's Code of Ethics states, "Inspectors shall not directly or indirectly compensate realty agents, or other
parties having financial interest in the closing or settlement of real estate transactions, for the referral of
inspections or for inclusion on a list of recommended inspectors, preferred providers or similar
arrangements."

While a real estate agent can be an initial resource for identifying home inspectors in the area, ASHI urges
homeowners to research each home inspector's references, qualifications and affiliations, such as whether he or she
is an ASHI Member, before committing to an inspection.

Other ASHI codes that consumers should be aware of before hiring a home inspector include the following:

Inspectors shall not inspect properties for compensation in which they have, or expect to have, a financial
interest.

Inspectors shall not repair, replace or upgrade, for compensation, systems or components covered by ASHI's
Standards of Practice, for one year after the inspection.

Inspectors shall perform services and express opinions based on genuine conviction and only within their areas of
education, training or experience.

Inspectors shall be objective in their reporting and not knowingly understate or overstate the significance of
reported conditions.

"The Code of Ethics is what sets ASHI members apart from other inspectors," said Corsetto. "ASHI
members won't list items on the full inspection report that need repair and then turn around and offer to repair them
ourselves. This is not our job. This is a conflict of interest that compromises the integrity of the
inspector and the inspection results. Our job is to provide a thorough and objective inspection of a home's
condition so that a homeowner or buyer can make an educated purchase decision. Homeowners selling their home
will also benefit from the same ethical practices because the defects noted are based on conviction. We're not
using the inspection as a way to generate repair work for ourselves. By merging these two practices, we are
preserving the integrity of our profession and protecting the interests of our customers."

For the complete statement of ASHI's Code of Ethics, visit ASHI's Web site www.homeinspector.org. Homeowners and buyers visiting the site should also check out ASHI's virtual
home inspection, a narrated tour that provides an overview of the 10 main areas of the home that should be inspected
in accordance with ASHI's Standards of Practice.

About the American Society of Home Inspectors

Celebrating 30 years, and more than 6,000 members strong, ASHI is the oldest and most widely recognized non-profit,
professional organization of home inspectors in North America. Its Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics have
become the industry standard. ASHI's mission is to meet the needs of its membership and promote excellence and
exemplary practice within the profession. For more information, visit www.homeinspector.org or call 800-743-2744.

For Consumers

Congratulations to Holly T. of Carlisle, the most recent winner of a Home Depot gift card for participating in Rate
your ASHI Inspector.Holly's inspector was Kevin Kenny. To rate your inspector and be eligible for the next quarterly drawing, click here.